Monday, May 5, 2014

Garlic Scape Pistachio Pesto Hummus

Garlic Scape Pistachio Pesto Hummus

Garlic scapes, basil, parsley and pistachios combined in a traditional hummus base for a fresh Spring dip. Garlic scape pesto freezes to have this seasonal treat year round.

For other recipes using Garlic Scapes, please see my Garlic & Garlic Scapes Recipe Collection. It's part of the Visual Recipe Index by Ingredient, a resource for seasonal eaters faced with a staggering amount of fresh produce we just don't know what to do with. I've got a Pinterest board of Garlic Scape Recipes here, and a Round Up of 28+ Food Blogger Recipes Using Garlic Scapes here. Want to know how to Use This Blog?


Garlic scapes, basil, parsley and pistachios combined in a traditional hummus base for a fresh Spring dip. Freeze the pesto to make this year round!


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Part One: The Making of Garlic Scape Pesto

To paraphrase Dick Van Dyke's Caractacus Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang ("Don't waste your pucker on some all day sucker.  And don't try a toffee or cream.  If you seek perfection in sugar confection, well, there's something new on the scene") don't waste your scapes in some Spring stir fry, instead try this pesto, it's green.

When I read Annie's post about garlic scape pesto I was intrigued.  I'd never tried it, but it sounded good.  When my CSA farm share and my garlic bed provided me with garlic scapes I knew I'd give it a try.  As it turned out, I didn't follow my own directions for stocking up on pesto supplies before the garlic scapes appeared.  I did have a block of parmesan, but I didn't have any pine nuts.


close up of a jar of garlic scape pistachio pesto


I got to thinking . . . why do I have to use pine nuts in pesto?  Weren't the original pesto makers just using what was readily available to them, not sourcing to China to make a sauce? (Check your bag of pine nuts, you'd be surprised)  I mean, I had great success using almonds and cashews in my Fresh Tomato Pesto.  In my pantry I've got almonds, walnuts, pistachios, and sunflower seeds available--I chose pistachios for this just because they are green and would enhance the bright green of this garlic scape pesto.

[In fact, I had a lil' ol' pestopalooza party with all the garlic scapes and fresh herbs after my Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm share resumed--that flood of green after the long winter was so welcome--sure, the Strategic Winter Squash Reserve provided some lovely orange veggies, but man, I missed getting a big ol' box of leafy veggies each week!  I made pesto using garlic scapes and sun dried tomatoes.  I used basil and parsley for the leaves. I used pistachios and sunflower seeds for the nuts.  I wrote down the various combinations, but my favorite is the one I'm sharing below--garlic scapes with pistachio nuts and basil.]

Garlic scapes, basil, parsley and pistachios combined in a traditional hummus base for a fresh Spring dip. Freeze the pesto to make this year round!



Because I plan ahead, and will be putting up this pesto by freezing it, I keep it a little thicker by using less oil.  By freezing this pesto, the plant cell walls that weren't disrupted by the food processor will burst, resulting in a more liquid pesto when thawed.  If you're not planning on saving some for later, use more oil.



Garlic scapes, basil, parsley and pistachios combined in a traditional hummus base for a fresh Spring dip. Freeze the pesto to make this year round!


Part Two: The Making of Garlic Scape Pesto Hummus

My spouse loves hummus.  He can dig through a Costco-sized vat of it in less than a week, without even breaking a sweat.  I knew it was easy to make, but it was easier to pick up a vat on my weekly Costco runs during sled hockey season--easier than remembering to buy tahini or turn the bag of dried chick peas into a bowl of cooked chick peas, that is.

Last summer, though, I was both out of a spouse and a weekly trip to Costco--but I did have tahini.  I followed the Shiksa's lovely directions for cooking my dried chick peas, and bingo.  I started making hummus.

I wanted to try something different [surprise, surprise]--I wanted to sub the usual garlic, or roasted garlic, with some garlic scapes.  Since I'd created a bunch of garlic scape pestos at my pestopalooza above, I opted to use the pistachio & basil version. The result is delicious, and I am ridiculously proud of the photos I took using my little point and shoot camera.  So proud, in fact, that it's been exceedingly difficult to sit on this blog post until now.  You see, I'm all about seasonal foods from my CSA farm share, and by the time I got my hummus with garlic scape pesto made, photographed, and written, I figured garlic scape season would be over most everywhere. So here, at what I hope is the advent of garlic scape season, I present to you Garlic Scape Pesto Hummus.


Garlic scapes, basil, parsley and pistachios combined in a traditional hummus base for a fresh Spring dip. Freeze the pesto to make this year round!


In fact, you could say this batch started it all--I've since created and posted Kale and Sumac Hummus, Sriracha Butternut Squash Hummus, Buffalo Butternut Squash Hummus, and Avocado Feta Hummus. [I'm feeling the need, the need for another Clickable Collage!]


I'm sharing more recipes on my Pinterest boards, follow me there. If you like a good peek behind the scenes like I do, follow me on Instagram. Need a good read? I'm sharing articles of interest on my Facebook page, follow me there. Want to know How to Use This Blog?

Part Three:  The Recipes

Note: a food processor or electric chopper makes quick work of these recipes.





Garlic Scape Pistachio Pesto



Garlic scapes, basil, parsley and pistachios combined in a traditional hummus base for a fresh Spring dip. Freeze the pesto to make this year round!Garlic scapes, basil, parsley and pistachios combined in a traditional hummus base for a fresh Spring dip. Freeze the pesto to make this year round!


Garlic Scape Pesto Hummus

Ingredients

  • 2½ cups cooked chick peas (or 2 cans)
  • ½ cup scallions, chopped
  • ½ cup (4 ounces by volume) tahini
  • ½ cup (4 ounces by volume) lemon juice (fresh or bottled)
  • ½ cup parsley or celery leaves
  • ¾ teaspoon salt (I use kosher)
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cumin seed
  • 2 Tablespoons garlic scape pesto (recipe above)
  • ¼ cup (2 ounces by volume) olive oil, plus more to drizzle over the serving bowl

Instructions

  1. Combine all ingredients in a food processor, pulse to get it going, then process until thoroughly combined and uniformly smooth.  
  2. Serve with vegetables to dip, or as the base of a layered vegetable appetizer, spread on bread in a sandwich, on top of burgers . . .


Want more hummus suggestions? Click on the images below to go to the recipe.Garlic Scape Pistachio Pesto Hummus | Farm Fresh Feasts Avocado Feta Hummus Kale & Sumac Hummus Sriracha Butternut Squash Hummus Garlic Scape Pistachio Pesto Hummus uffalo Butternut Squash Hummus Image Map

This post is shared on Tasty Tuesdays, Simple Supper TuesdaysFresh Foods WednesdayWhat's Cookin Wednesday, Fiesta Friday, From the Farm Blog HopClever Chicks Blog HopEating Inside The Box

43 comments:

  1. Ah! I love garlic scape pesto! And hummus! I cannot wait till we start getting scapes again. I planted garlic last fall, so I am hoping for twice as many scapes! And your pictures do look great! (As do the recipes!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Beth,
      I'm sitting here looking out on my garlic crop--no signs of scapes yet, which is fine, I can wait--and happily anticipating the upcoming pestopalooza part 2.
      Thanks! {And these were taken with the old point and shoot!}

      Delete
  2. This looks fantastic! I can't tell you how much I loved your Cherry Tomato Pesto recipe (I made so much of it last year!), and I love that you used pistachios - genius. I've made garlic scape pesto before, but I've never tried combining it with hummus. Since I read this, I keep looking outside at the garlic I planted, just hoping the scapes are ready!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Melissa,
      Thank you!
      I've got a couple of jars of fresh tomato pesto left in the freezer--thawed one the other week for pizza and it was soooo welcome. Love that stuff.
      I'm with you on happily anticipating the scapes!
      Thanks!

      Delete
  3. We used to get garlic scapes with our CSA, I miss them! They are a wonderful spring vegetable. What a wonderful idea to make a hummus out of them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sherri,
      I think scapes are one of the unsung treats of getting a farm share--sure, the tomatoes and salad greens and squash is great--but oh, the scapes!
      Thanks!

      Delete
  4. I have never really gotten into scapes before - never sure what to do with them....thankfully now i DO! thank you so much for this post. I too enjoy/promote the eating of food within its season! So glad I found your blog!!! Check mine out at www.smallpursebiggarden.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lisa,
      Oh my, now I'm going to quote Scar from Lion King "stick with me, and you'll never go hungry again!" sheesh--is it 5 pm somewhere?! I could blame my inanity on spirits. But no, just got my cup of tea at my side instead.
      I tried stir frying scapes the first year I got them, and was so underwhelmed with the finished product. I tried putting them, chopped, on pizza. Again, not so great. Something about pulverizing the scapes in the food processor unlocks a world of flavorful possibilities for me.
      Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  5. Love the flavor combo in this. Can't wait to try it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jennifer,
      It's terrific, and please let me know how you like it.
      Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  6. I love garlic scape pesto and now can not wait to try this hummus! Thank you for sharing with us at Simple Supper Tuesday.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cindy,
      I think I need to cook up another batch of chick peas--I've been lima beaning my hummus for the past week, working up a recipe, and am ready for the classic.
      Thanks for hosting!

      Delete
  7. Even though I have garlic scape pesto in the freezer from last year (I've been holding out waiting for you to publish some garlic scape recipes), I will absolutely without a doubt be making this. Not only did you combine some of my favorite things (garlic, nuts), you turned it into a dip and since I know first hand just how good your dips can be, I'm excited.
    P.S. I love when you get all scientific on me. Plant cell walls. Swoon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Meghan,
      Is this science porn, a la yolk porn and cheese porn?
      I've got 2 cubes left in the freezer, and I'm not quite sure what I'm holding out for.
      Thanks!

      Delete
  8. This is so creative and unique - and sounds delicious!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Laura,
      Thank you! I've really been working on making more vegetable appetizers, so hummus really fits with my goals. And it tastes good!

      Delete
  9. Hi Kirsten - lovely to meet you via Fiesta Friday - thanks so much for joining in the madness! You have shown great restraint in waiting so long to post what I can only describe as an outrageously delicious looking houmous…I am going to have to see if I can get any scapes to try this recipe out! Perfect fodder for the party too! Thanks for bringing this along!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Selma,
      Trust me, I don't have such restraint about eating this hummus! I just feel very bad teasing with tasty photos if the vegetable isn't available by the time I get 'round to putting up the recipe. It defeats the purpose of helping readers enjoy what's seasonal if the moment has passed, you know?
      I'm also inspired for the upcoming season--no sense resting on the laurels of the work I did last year.
      Thanks!

      Delete
  10. I can't wait to try these - I think the pesto will be perfect with plain fish, and the hummous with fresh bread - thank you!
    Emma :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Emma,
      You're so right--I've got a pesto-topped swai on the blog, but a garlic scape pesto version would be wonderful. And on bread--yum! Julie's naan recipe looks really good http://www.texannewyorker.com/2013/09/13/naan-bread/ I need to try it.
      Thanks!

      Delete
  11. That is the most mouth-watering hummus I've ever seen! I'm not waiting for my garlic scapes. I'll be scouring the market to get my hands on them. I do love a good hummus.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Angie,
      I love a good hummus too. Such a versatile dip--and such a terrific base for dinner ;)
      Thanks for hosting Fiesta Friday!

      Delete
  12. Wonderful hummus, and I love the clickable collage!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Saucy,
      Thank you! Anyonita shared a terrific tutorial on how to make the clickable collage here: http://www.anyonita-nibbles.co.uk/2014/03/how-to-make-every-image-in-collage-link.html and I've done so many I can even do them without peeking back to make sure I didn't forget a step. It's the most elegant way to do a recipe round up, which is why I'm delighted to use them for my garlic scape recipe round up.
      Thanks!

      Delete
  13. Ohhh... this is such a great recipe! In fact, 2 beautiful recipes, the pesto and hummus... :) The garlic scapes is delicate, and I love pistachios :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Catherine,
      I appreciate it--always happy to give added value, a 2-for-1, to my readers. I do wish I could have my minions do all the pistachio shelling, though. Perhaps when school is out.
      Thanks!

      Delete
  14. We use all sorts of nuts in pesto, but I have never tried pistachio...going to now!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Michelle,
      It's funny, but pine nuts are the nut that I'm least likely to have on hand. And other than my lovely grocery store down the street for a gallon of milk or freshly roasted Hatch chiles, I hate to make single item trips to the store. So pistachios it is.
      Thanks!

      Delete
  15. Congratulations!! Your humus recipe has been featured at Tasty Tuesdays 60 on my blog, Lori’s Culinary Creations. Hop on over and grab a feature button and link up your latest culinary creations. Congrats again.
    Link- http://bit.ly/QExeUB

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lori,
      Thanks for the feature! I'm delighted to be included!

      Delete
  16. Love this...looks soooo yummy! pinned to try. found at simple supper tuesday---congrats on the feature. Havea great week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rachel,
      I appreciate the pin--it's a delicious dip and boy I cannot wait for the scapes.
      Thanks!

      Delete
  17. Thank you for linking up at Simple Supper Tuesday, your recipe has been featured at Moore or Less Cooking. Nettie

    ReplyDelete
  18. Thank you, Kirsten for sharing so many recipes for my garlic scape round up! It’s now live. You can see the round up here: http://growagoodlife.com/10-ways-use-garlic-scapes or Pin it for later: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/313492824034778757/

    I can't wait for my scapes to grow so I can try some of these. Thanks again.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rachel,
      Thanks a bunch for including my recipe in your round up! I've pinned all the new ones to my Garlic Scape Recipes Board in Pinterest.
      Appreciate it!

      Delete
  19. Am I the last person in the world to get on the garlic scape bandwagon? If and when I do, it will be with this recipe :) Love hummus and pistachios, so it wouldn't be hard for me to climb on board.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Laura,
      Well, perhaps not the last person . . . but there's plenty of room on my bandwagon and I'll give you a hand up!
      Thanks!

      Delete
  20. Fabulous!! I'll be dreaming of all the ways I can enjoy this! Saving & sharing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gwen,
      Thanks for the shares!
      They are much appreciated.

      Delete
  21. Replies
    1. Ice,
      Thanks for your enthusiasm--and for stopping by!

      Delete
  22. An easy way to freeze the pesto is to put in an ice cube tray. Freeze overnight then pop them into a zip lock bag. You can take a cube or two and use in a soup, with pasta, or whatever.
    Endjoy.

    ReplyDelete